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Thursday, January 21, 2021
Ages 70 & Over Can Now Register for COVID Vaccine with SWUPHD SOUTHWEST UTAH People aged 70 and over can now register to get their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.They can sign up at swuhealth.org/covid-vaccine to set up a time at their nearest clinic. A consent form can also be printed from the website to fill out and bring to the appointment. Picture ID and a short-sleeved shirt will also be required. There is no cost for the vaccine, although insurance information may be requested. Both full and parttime residents are eligible. People who don’t have a computer or access to the internet can call to register by phone. The number is 435986-2549. Whether online or by phone, residents may need to keep trying to get through since there is a high demand for vaccines that are shipped to the Southwest Utah Public Health Department (SWUPHD) in limited amounts. It will take many weeks to schedule and vaccinate the 70+ age group. The SWUPHD will continue vaccinating previous priority groups as well, including non-hospital healthcare workers, first responders, K-12 school staff. Eligibility for other age groups and health conditions will be announced at a later time. A second dose is needed COVID Vaccine Cont'd on page 2
Issue # 1393
Wayne County Welcomes New Nurse in Time For COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out by Amiee Maxwell
Free tax preparation available for those who make $56,000 or less, seniors, the disabled, working families, and ESL persons
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The Wayne County Central Utah Public Health Department (CUPHD) office is located in Loa at the Wayne County Courthouse. McKenzie Ellett (right) has joined the CUPHD as the new public health nurse in Wayne County. WAYNE COUNTY McKenzie Ellett was eager to move back home, so she was thrilled to find out Wayne County was looking for a new public health nurse this fall. Just weeks after she took over the position, Wayne County received its first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, and she’s excited about the level of interest the community has shown in getting the vaccine. Born and raised in Fremont, Ellett received her nursing degree at Snow College and then her bachelor’s degree at Weber State University. She
spent the last year working in the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City before joining the Central Utah Public Health Department (CUPHD) team. At the last county commission meeting, Commissioner Wood remarked that Ellett “has good roots,” and we’re lucky to have her as the new public health nurse. Not only will she be instrumental in distributing the COVID-19 vaccine, but she will also administer all other vaccines, handle school nursing items,
1,056 Wildlife Illegally Killed in Utah in 2020
Courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
In 2020, a total of 1,056 animals were killed illegally in the state, down slightly from the 1,080 animals illegally taken in 2019. SALT LAKE CITY The total number of wild animals taken illegally in Utah in 2020 was slightly lower than the number taken in 2019, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers report. In 2020, a total of 1,056 animals were killed illegally in the state. In 2019, a total of 1,080 animals were taken. The total combined value of the wildlife illegally killed in 2020 was more than $379,000. In 2019, the total value was more than $406,500. While the total number of animals illegally taken
Six County IRS VITA Program Offers Free Tax Preparation for Residents of Low / Moderate Income
dropped a bit in 2020, the total number of citations for unlawful take and wanton destruction actually increased, from 499 citations issued in 2019 to 773 citations in 2020. The overall number of violations detected by DWR conservation officers last year (this includes citations for unlawful take and wanton destruction) was 4,760, compared to 3,525 violations in 2019. A total of 35 people had their hunting or fishing privileges suspended in Utah in 2020, compared to 84 in 2019. Utah is a member state of the Interstate Wildlife Violator
REGIONAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR SOME BUT NOT ALL REGIONS REPRESENTED IN OUR NEWSPAPER COVERAGE AREA
THURS. JANUARY 21 - WED. JANUARY 27
Lower temperatures return, with chances of rain/snow for the majority of the week, with highest chances being 45% on Fri and 50% on Sat and 35 - 45% from Sun - Tues. Highs in the 30s and low 40s; lows in the teens and 20s. Winds variable from 7 - 13 mph.
Compact. License suspensions in Utah are recognized in all the other states in the U.S., except Hawaii. “Each animal that is illegally killed in our state is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and everyday citizens to enjoy,” DWR Capt. Wyatt Bubak said. “Poachers steal our ability to enjoy Utah's wildlife.” Residents are encouraged to report suspicious hunting activity. You can call the UTiP hotline—1-800-662-DEER (3337)—which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or report the activity online on the DWR website. If you witness a possible Poaching
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Courtesy CUPHD
and coordinate the WIC Program (a nutrition program aimed at low-income pregnant women and children up to age 5). Seventy healthcare workers were among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Wayne County followed by emergency medical service technicians, search and rescue workers, and law enforcement. School teachers and staff started receiving vaccines the week of January New Nurse / Vaccine Cont'd on page 10
JUAB / MILLARD / PIUTE / SANPETE / SEVIER / WAYNE COUNTIES The “Earn It, Keep It, Save It” coalition, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Internal Revenue Service are offering free tax preparation to Utah residents for both federal and Utah State Tax Commission returns to be electronically filed. Free tax help is available for those who have low to moderate income ($56,000 or less); seniors; the disabled, working families, those who have English as a second language, or individuals who make under that amount. Local volunteers have been certified through the Six County IRS VITA program to prepare tax returns, provide information on credits, deductions and allowable expenses that taxpayers may be eligible for and electronically file both federal and state tax returns at no charge. Free tax help sites are conveniently located in the Six County Region including Juab, Piute, Wayne, Sanpete, Sevier, and Millard Counties at various locations in Richfield, Fillmore, Delta, Nephi, Junction, Loa, and Ephraim. An important item community tax volunteers will be checking to see is if area residents are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit or
EITC. The EITC is for individuals who work but don’t make a lot of money. In 2020, if you made $56,844 or less, you may qualify for this refundable credit. Refundable means even if you didn’t have any federal income tax withheld on wages earned, you could still get a refund. The EITC could be worth as much as $6,600 for a married couple with three or more children. So, don’t guess, find out if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. The Six County Vita program will also be hosting a Taxathon Event to bring awareness to community members about the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit), which will be held on January 28th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be a virtual event due to COVID-19. Individuals will be able to be entered to win a $50 gift card from Walmart for filing a tax return or starting the process of filing a return. To find the nearest free tax help site or additional information, go to www. utahtaxhelp.org . To schedule an appointment or for additional information, call Shara Bastian, VITA Manager at (435) 893-0735. —Six County Association of Governments
Wayne Community Health Center to Start Receiving COVID Vaccine by February 2021
BICKNELL - Wayne Community Health Center will be receiving the COVID vaccine around the beginning to middle of February 2021. We know that many of you are eager to get this vaccine. WCHC has been working hard with our state and local health departments to prepare to become a vaccination site. When we get the vaccine, we will vaccinate with a prioritized schedule for those that are high risk and vulnerable patients. Most of the local healthcare workers will already be immunized, so we will follow the state recommendation for a continued phased process and proceed as quickly as possible to get everyone vac-
cinated as soon as we can. Please, understand we have limited vaccines and the vials will be a multi-dose, so we will want to give the vaccination in groups of ten. We expect COVID-19 vaccines will be available to high risk age groups, people with certain underlying medical conditions, and those who live in our service area and are at higher risk for the virus that causes COVID-19. You don’t need to “get on a waiting list” to be vaccinated. When the vaccine is available, we expect to have it available at all of our WCHC clinic locations throughout Wayne, Garfield, and North Sevier communities. We will post information on our
web site at www.waynechc. org, on social media, and local papers. In addition to this, we will be calling our patients that meet criteria to inform you of the opportunity to receive your vaccine. Due to the storage requirements of the vaccine, we may only be able to give it at certain clinic sites on certain days and during a specific time period (meaning we need to thaw it for one hour and then give it within three hours). We will keep you updated as the time draws closer. Thank you for your patience in these difficult times. —Wayne Community Health Center
The Kaiparowits Plateau at Sunrise
Margie Weppner
This lovely photo of the Kaiparowits Plateau was submitted to The Insider by Margie Weppner. Do you have a photo that you would like to share? Send them to us with your name and location and a brief description at snapshot@live.com. We may feature yours in a future issue!
But men are men; the best sometimes forget. —William Shakespeare
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PRE-SORT STANDARD PAID RICHFIELD, UTAH PERMIT No. 122
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Government Secrecy is Tyranny
GRAMA is state law allowing citizens to view documents held by government entities in Utah, but Boulder Town and our Department of Agriculture (UDAF) have refused to provide any documents whatsoever concerning Jacqui Smalley’s 110 seat theater located on her Boulder Creek Canyon Ranch (BCCR) proposed by “project manager Tom Hoyt” of GSENM Partners and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Our initial September 2020 UDAF request has finally been set for adjudication before the state committee on February 11, 2021 where Attorney General Sean Reyes, along with Smalley’s attorney John Andrews (twenty years with SITLA, etc.) will continue to claim immunity from any disclosures of information while our highly paid, tax-funded lawyers and bureaucrats inside state and federal government offices hide their scheming in secrecy. We also filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the federal Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington D.C., where our Congressional Representatives Chris Stewart and Burgess Owens are presently conducting an insurgence to overthrow the federal government, apparently because the majority of Utahns voting for these traitors want control of federal lands although they love getting more than Utah’s share of federal money. Under FOIA, we know Tom Hoyt (labeling himself as a “local citizen”) submitted the initial request for an amendment to the BCCR Conservation Easement (CE) federal taxpayers paid $400,000 to achieve which would wrongly allow Smalley to use the $2 million she was paid by TNC to not commer-
cially develop her ranch, which also holds a BLM cattle grazing permit, to build a theater to be operated by the Boulder Arts Council (BAC) run by Mayor Cox’s wife, Cheryl. Thousands of similar CE’s across the US have been funded by federal taxpayers to preserve open lands and farming through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) arm of the USDA, but now UDAF, and apparently TNC, want to override CE deed restrictions to facilitate development projects for non-profit organizations such as BAC to expand their facilities and, importantly, set a national precedent. Small town Boulder, located along a famous scenic highway between national parks, is under threat of becoming a tourist “hell-hole” like Springdale and Moab with coming traffic issues that will rival them. It is irresponsible for Mayor Steve Cox and his personally appointed administrators, clerks, and planning commissioners acting without any possible appeal to the elected town council, to facilitate land speculator/developers such as Curtis Oberhansly and Hoyt who claims in their newly exposed proposal that: “The Art Council does not have sufficient resources to buy an alternative site, assuming that one could be located within the community.” But there are hundreds of acres around Boulder where Smalley and BAC could expand activities for arts education, including the weed infested town-owned lot adjoining the recently rebuilt town hall, which could easily facilitate agricultural meetings. The buck stops on Mayor Cox’s desk, no less than it does with Trump’s insurrection. Why only secrecy without replies or rebuttals to my facts? Julian Hatch, Boulder
Goings on... Garfield County Resident Arrested on Drug and Weapons Charges GARFIELD COUNTY - On December 28,2020, Roxanne Abner-Simpkins was arrested at her home in Garfield County by officers from the Iron, Garfield, and Beaver County task forces, along with Garfield County deputies and one member from the Piute County Sheriff’s Office. Over one pound of methamphetamines, along with a substantial amount of heroin and cocaine, were recovered from her home. Also arrested were two other adults, Rhonda Abner and Andrew Sawyer. A three year old child, who is the great grandchild of Roxanne Abner-Simkins and living in the home, was taken by the Department of Child and Family Services for her protection. A hair follicle test was done on the child and showed positive for opioids and methamphetamines. Roxanne Abner-Simpkins is expected to be prosecuted federally due to the large amount of drugs and weapons located in the home. Garfield County Sheriff would like to thank all those involved in this multi-month investigation and for the successful outcome. —Garfield County Sheriff's Office
PPP 2.0 Provides Additional Assistance from the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic UTAH - The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act is a $325 billion aid package providing additional assistance to the hardest-hit small businesses, nonprofits, and venues struggling to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The act provides funding for a second round of forgivable loans through the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and nonprofits experiencing significant revenue losses. We're calling the second wave PPP 2.0. PPP 2.0 includes other improvements, like grants to shuttered venues and emergency enhancements to other U.S. Small Business Administration lending programs. Together with the Utah SBA District Office and World Trade Center Utah, GOED's new Executive Director Dan Hemmert hosted a webinar discussing PPP 2.0 and other business support programs. You can view the 34-minute webinar on GOED's Facebook or YouTube channels. We invite you to share the webinar with others who would benefit from the information. PPP 2.0 on a first-come-first-served basis. We encourage all hard-hit Utah small businesses to review the program's criteria and prepare their documentation now, so they're ready to apply for the forgivable loans. Information and resources to help small businesses and nonprofits, even sole proprietors and independent contractors, apply for PPP 2.0 are available on the state's coronavirus website. —Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development
From the Publisher's Desk Last week we received, by U.S. mail, an anonymous request to place an advertisement including cash payment for the ad. I’d like to inform whomever submitted the ad that we are choosing not to publish your ad. This decision is not based on whether we agree with the ad, but due to the nature of the content coupled with the anonymous placement. To the person who submitted it, if you would like to reclaim your payment, I’d be glad to return it to you (claimant will need to describe the ad and state the payment amount so that we can be assured it is being returned to the rightful person). If you’d like to claim your payment please do so within 30 days of the printing of this issue (January 21) so we can be clear of this matter. As a reminder, The Insider has a letters to the editor section, which anyone may use to express views and opinions. If you’d like to use this space, and sign your name to your message, we’d be glad to print it. And another reminder: letters to the editor are free of charge. —E.W.
Beautiful Snowy Scene in Escalante
Harriet Priska
This photo was submitted to The Insider by Harriet Priska of Escalante. Do you have a photo that you would like to share? Send them to us with your name and location and a brief description at snapshot@live.com. We may feature yours in a future issue!
COVID Vaccine: Persons
aged 70 and up can now register with the Southwest Utah Public Health Department for the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID Vaccine
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about a month after the first COVID-19 shot for the best protection against the disease. The state of Utah is recommending that people who have tested positive for COVID-19 wait for 90 days after the positive test to get vaccinated. Please follow local news sources, our website at swuhealth.org/covid, or social media at swuhealth for COVID-19 updates and vaccine eligibility announcements.
As we see case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths continue in Southwest Utah from the spread of COVID-19, we encourage all residents to get vaccinated when able and continue to protect your vulnerable loved ones by maintaining distancing, wearing masks when within 6 feet, keeping hands washed, and staying home if sick. —Southwest Utah Public Health Department
Poaching: We need your help.
Please keep your eyes and ears open and report suspicious activity to us. Working together, we can enforce wildlife laws and also keep those recreating outdoors safe.—Wyatt Bubak, DWR Capt. Poaching
Cont'd from page 1
violation, and you can’t remember the hotline number, do a quick internet search on your phone or look at your hunting or fishing license— the number is printed on it. “We need your help,” Bubak said. “Please keep your eyes and ears open and
report suspicious activity to us. Working together, we can enforce wildlife laws and also keep those recreating outdoors safe.” Not all wildlife violations are committed intentionally. To learn about common illegal hunting mistakes, visit wildlife.utah.gov. —Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Correction:
"First Baby Born in the New Year at Gunnison Valley Hospital" Name Correction
GUNNISON - In the January 14, 2021 issue, the doctor in the "First Baby Born in the New Year at Gunnison Valley Hospital" article was stated as being Dr. Carl Judy. The name of the doctor is, in fact, Dr. Cary Judy. —Insider
Insider
The
Letters to the Editor
January 21, 2021
P.O. Box 105 Escalante, UT 84726 435-826-4400 email snapshot@live.com Publisher: Erica Walz Layout & Graphic Design: Emily Leach Wayne County Reporter: Amiee Maxwell Boulder Reporter: Tessa Barkan Payroll: Trudy Stowe
Local columnists:
Mack Oetting - FYI Panguitch Peg Smith - By Way of Boulder Brooklyn Syrett - News from Bryce Valley Schools The Insider is a weekly community newspaper delivered each Thursday to households in Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah. The entire contents of this newspaper are © 2015 The Insider/Snapshot Multimedia, LLC. The Insider reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted content items. Articles submitted by independent writers may or may not be the opinion of The Insider. Please feel free to contact us for advertising rates and with any questions regarding content submissions. We prefer content and ads submitted by email to snapshot@live.com but we will accept your information any way you can get it to us. Subscriptions to The Insider are available outside of Wayne and Garfield counties for $40 for 26 weeks, $75 per year. Senior discounts are available.
Content and ad deadline: Friday at Noon Have a news tip or story idea?
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January 21, 2021
Workforce Services Appoints New Deputy Director
SALT LAKE CITY The Department of Workforce Services has selected Nate McDonald as a new deputy director for the agency. McDonald is taking over for Casey Cameron, who was nominated by Gov. Spencer J. Cox to be the department’s new executive director. McDonald most recently served as the assistant deputy and communication director for Workforce Services. In these roles, he oversaw all communication activities, employer initiatives and the veterans employment team, and supported the executive director’s office on department-wide issues. Prior to joining Workforce Services, he was the associate communication director for the Utah
Governor’s Office. “Nate’s passion for serving Utahns is evident in how he consistently strives to maintain a high level of transparency and integrity in all that the department communicates with the public,” said Casey Cameron, executive director of Workforce Services. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with Nate as he assists our agency’s leadership and staff throughout the state with the effective operations of the many programs and services we administer.” Before joining state government, McDonald worked in the private sector with a strategic communication firm for more than ten years. He graduated from Southern Utah University with a master’s degree
in public administration and the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. “Over the years, I have gained a great appreciation and understanding of the public service that takes place within the Department of Workforce Services. We have amazing staff and leadership who are truly committed to the department’s mission,” said McDonald. “It’s a privilege to continue to work beside them and take on this new opportunity to serve the people of Utah.” McDonald will assume his duties as deputy director immediately. —Utah Department of Workforce Services
San Rafael Swell Recreation Area Advisory Council to Hold Online Meeting
PRICE - The Bureau of Land Management will hold two meetings of the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area Advisory Council (Council). The first meeting will be held on Feb. 17, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be hosted online. Meeting registration information is available at https://blm.zoomgov.com/ webinar/register/WN_xmdv5PSNQcGgBa9WxhLrtg The second meeting will be held on April 7, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and April 8 from 8:30 am to 12 p.m. An online meeting platform and/ or teleconference may substitute an in-person meeting if public health restrictions are in place. The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act of 2019 established the Council to provide advice and information for the BLM to consider in planning for and managing the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area. The seven-member Council represents a wide range of interests including local government, recreational users, grazing allotment permittees, conservation organizations, expertise in historical uses of the recreation area, and Tribes. Advisory councils provide advice and recommendations to the Sec-
retary of the Interior on public land resource and management issues. “The BLM looks forward to the Council’s kick-off meeting” said Lance Porter, Green River District Manager. “This is a great opportunity for the BLM to receive feedback about the future management of the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area.” Agenda topics for the February meeting will include an overview of Dingell Act mandates, an overview of the Price Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP), nomination of a Council chairperson and vice-chairperson, identification of next steps, and discussion of upcoming RMP amendments. Agenda topics for the April meeting will include agency updates, RMP updates, and discussion of implementation-level plans. The final agendas and meeting registration information (including how to log in and participate via Zoom) will be posted on the Council webpage at https://www.blm.gov/ get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/utah/SanRafael-Swell-RAC. The public is welcome to attend the meetings and will be given an opportunity to address the Council each day. The scheduled times for the
public to address the Council are Feb. 17, 2021 from 3:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., April 7, 2021 from 4:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and April 8 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Depending on the number of people wishing to comment, the amount of time for an individual’s oral comments may be limited. Written statements to address the Council may also be sent prior to each meeting to the BLM Green River District, Attn: Lance Porter, 170 South 500 West, Vernal, Utah 84078 or via email with the subject line “San Rafael Swell Advisory Council meeting” to utprmail@blm.gov. More information about the area can be found at https:// www.blm.gov/visit/searchdetails/2187/2. For additional information about the upcoming meetings, please contact Lance Porter at (435) 781-4400 or l50porte@blm.gov. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to leave a message or question for the above individual. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Replies are provided during normal business hours. —Bureau of Land Management
Police Reform On Docket in Utah Legislature
Adobe Stock
Utah lawmakers will see a slew of bills this session addressing police behavior, including one that would prevent officers from using additional force against someone who's been subdued. SALT LAKE CITY Police reform will be a top priority when the Utah Legislature opens, and groups are pressing lawmakers to pass more than 60 expected bills. Some key areas of focus include police accountability, use of force and police misconduct. Molly Davis, policy analyst for the Libertas Institute, said after a summer of Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the state, lawmakers feel a sense of urgency for change. She added many of the bills, some of which are likely to be combined, aren't public yet, and she predicted one that's likely to pass would ban "no-knock" warrants, a tactic that led to Breonna Taylor's death in Kentucky. "Unless an existing imminent threat of serious
bodily injury or death exists, officers have to do a 'knock and announce,'" Davis urged. "We want to give the individual reasonable time to answer the door, and make sure law enforcement announces themselves loud and clear before bursting into an individual's home." After a special session over the summer, then-governor Gary Herbert also signed House Bill 5007, which bans the use of chokehold methods, after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd using a "knee on the neck" restraint. Sen. Jani Iwamoto, DSalt Lake City, said House Bill 154 would prevent police from using additional force against someone who's been subdued or is cooperating with commands. It also would require other officers to intervene if a colleague uses illegal force.
She pointed out even though her district is majority white, constituents are in favor of serious changes in police conduct. "With the George Floyd killing and everything that's happening, it's nothing new," Iwamoto remarked. "But I think what's happened in Utah and other places is a call to action. And so, my district and the state have been very positive about wanting police reform in some way." Utah has about 37,000 Black residents, but Black police officers make up less than 1% of the state's Department of Public Safety, according to a department report. And they are overrepresented in the state's prison population. —Diane Bernard, Utah News Connection
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Schools & Sports
News from Bryce Valley Schools
PHS Sports Sidelines
by Brooklyn Syrett
Mustangs win, while Lady Mustangs fall short against T-birds and Tigers, BV Wrestling heads to Tintic Tournament, and cheerleaders travel to Salt Lake for a state cheer competition
This week was full of excitement for the Mustangs. On Friday and Saturday, January 8th and 9th, the Mustangs traveled to Wayne and Kanab and came home with some amazing wins. The boy’s team then traveled to Piute on Tuesday and met a very skilled Thunderbird team. The Mustangs fought back and forth for the lead throughout the game. During the last minute of play, the T-birds made a run for it and nearly pulled off the upset, but luck was on the side of the Mustangs, and they walked away with a one-point victory. They finished the week off by playing the Milford Tigers on our home court. The skill and teamwork of the Mustangs
overpowered the Tigers, as the Mustangs finished with a commanding win with a final score of 58-42. The sophomore tournament is in Wayne County on Friday and Saturday, January 16-17. All games can be viewed on myschoollive.tv. The Lady Mustangs also had a busy week. They traveled to Piute as well on Tuesday, where they came out strong in the first quarter, but had a difficult 2nd half. They came up short and fell to the Lady T-birds, 29-39. They had to regain their composure to meet a tough Milford team the next night. The Tigers held the Mustangs scoreless in the 1st quarter, but the Lady Mustangs wouldn’t go down without a fight. At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Mustangs had whittled the lead down to five. They went in the last quarter with a score of 25-20. After some unfortunate events, the Tigers pulled away and beat the Mustangs, 42-33. They finish the week with a home game against the Water Canyon Wildcats. This week in Bryce Valley Wrestling: It has been quite busy.
The Mustangs started off the week hosting the Escalante Moquis and Wayne Badgers on Tuesday night. In headto-head match scoring, BV ended up with 15 points and Escalante/Wayne with 40. Highlight of the night was Isaac Leech winning all three of his matches. The Mustang Wrestlers then headed to Wayne to face the Badgers and the South Sevier Rams on Thursday night. While the Mustangs lost 15-42 in headto-head match scoring, they maintained the same loss margin to a 3A opponent. Team Captain, Ben Jensen, walked away with two pins and Isaac Leech with a narrow win. The Mustangs are headed to the Tintic Tournament early Saturday morning to continue to polish their skills. The cheerleaders will be traveling to the Salt Lake area for a state cheer competition. We wish them the best of luck and hope they bring home a championship! The elementary and high school students finished up the 2nd quarter this past week. It sure seemed like a long quarter! With the beginning of the new quarter, we encourage all the students to try your best and remember to ask for help from a teacher, parent or friend. It really does take a village to raise amazing kids!
Courtesy Brooklyn Syrett
Bryce Valley Seniors Treyson Roberts (left) and Quayden Tebbs (right).
Kayla Atwood of Cannonville Named to University of Utah's Fall 2020 Dean's List
SALT LAKE CITY Kayla Atwood, of Cannonville, UT, was named to the University of Utah's Fall 2020 Dean's List. Atwood's
major is listed as Finance BS. Atwood was among more than 9,700 students named to the Fall 2020 Dean's List at the University of Utah. To qualify,
students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher in at least 12 graded credit hours during any one term. —University of Utah
by Mack Oetting
Bobcats fall short to the Valley Buffalos, with their first loss against a 1A team, but win the sophomore tournament, Lady Cats lose to Milford and play against Wayne on the 21st, Panguitch Wrestling will finish their season with Panguitch Invitational and State
The Bobcats didn’t have a very good week. It is midseason, and it is hard to be up for every game. The boys team went down to Valley Buffalo country and came up a little short, with the game going into overtime. The Cats were outscored by three in the overtime and ended up on the short side of a 48 to
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Students Currently Quarantined
45 score. This is the Cats' first loss against a 1A team. Kyler Bennett had twelve points and Klyn Fullmer and Tucker Chappell both finished up with ten. The Bobcats won the sophomore tournament that was held this last week, and three of the sophomores got plenty of playing time in the varsity games. The Cats are going to be very good for at least three more years. They play this week on the 20th. Milford will be in Panguitch, and on the 22nd, the Cats are over at Bryce Valley. Bryce Valley also has a good team. The game against Milford will be Zoomed. The Lady Cats didn’t
fare very well either, losing to Milford, 43 to 33. Abbee Holman had thirteen with three 3-pointers, and Kyan Orton chipped in ten. This week, the ladies will have away games at Water Canyon on the 19th and at Wayne on the 21st. As the tough guy wrestling season winds down, they have two matches this week. One will be at Kanab on the 19th, and another will be at Manti on the 20th. On the 26th, North Sevier will be here in Panguitch, and on the 28th, they will be hosting the Panguitch invitational. State will be at SVC on February 12-13. The players are now being given four tickets for each game. This way they can bring a couple of friends and their parents.
Money Tips for Students
First-time Federal Student Loan Borrowers Must Complete Entrance Counseling by Tim Ballard
UTAH - Students who will borrow money for college using federal student loans must complete entrance counseling if they are borrowing for the first time, according to KHEAA. Entrance counseling helps students understand the financial commitments they’re agreeing to when they receive their loan. Fully understanding these financial obligations is an important step in taking out federal student loans to help pay for education after high school. The U.S. Department of Education requires borrowers to complete the counseling before students will receive loan funds. The counseling will teach users how to borrow responsibly so they don’t take out more loans than they need. The department offers online counseling at studentaid.gov under the Complete Aid Process tab. The counsel-
Garfield and Wayne County School District COVID-19 Case Count Data Garfield County School District School
January 21, 2021
Staff Members Currently Quarantined
Cases Contracted at School
Antimony
0
0
0
0
0
Boulder
0
0
1
0
0
Bryce Valley Elem. 0
5
0
0
0
Bryce Valley High
0
17
0
0
0
Escalante Elem.
0
4
0
0
0
Escalante High
0
5
0
0
0
Panguitch Elem.
0
5
4
1
0
Panguitch Middle
1
5
3
2
0
Panguitch High
0
16
5
0
0
District Office
1
1
0
1
0
District Totals
2
58
13
4
0
Source: Garfield County School District / https://www.garfk12.org/
Wayne County School District Student/ Staff Active Case
Student/ Staff Quarantined
Number of Students
Number of Staff
2
9
461
86
Source: Wayne County School District / https://www.waynesd.org/covid-home.html
This data represents a snapshot, using information provided by the Central Utah Public Health Department and the Southwest Utah Public Health Department. The District and Schools are NOT permitted to disclose breakdowns between number of staff or student cases, nor identify grade or class information to ensure compliance with federal health privacy laws. This represents data as of January 15, 2021 for Wayne County School District and as of January 5, 2021 for Garfield County School District. —Insider
ing should take between 20 to 30 minutes. Borrowers should check with their college to see if the federal counseling session is accepted as some schools have alternate counseling program requirements. KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency established in 1966 to improve students’ access to college. It provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.
KHEAA also helps colleges manage their student loan default rates and verify information submitted on the FAFSA. For more information about those services, visit www.kheaa.com. In addition, KHEAA disburses private Advantage Education Loans on behalf of its sister agency, KHESLC. For more information, visit www.advantageeducationloan.com.
January 21, 2021
Wills, Trusts, and More
The Insider
Some Trust Disputes Cost More Than Probate Many people use trusts to achieve specific estate planning goals. Such trusts are designed to save money by avoiding probate fees and delays, and by deferring or reducing estate taxes. For example, a revocable "living trust" can avoid the cost and delays associated with probate. A will or living trust may also create a separate trust when one spouse dies, in order to shield up a significant portion of the estate from later estate taxes. Such trusts are designed to save money by avoiding probate fees and delays, and by deferring or reducing estate taxes. But if there are disputes about the management of the trust, litigation can be very expensive. Trust litigation may also take longer than probate to uncover mismanagement or theft, thus reducing the odds of recovering lost property. Normally, a trustee (the person administering the trust) is not subject to court supervision. However, a trustee or beneficiary may initiate a court action. The court can compel the trustee to account for the trust's assets and income, or to change investment and distribution policies to conform to the trust's instructions. In some circumstances, a court can replace the trustee, dissolve the trust, or make other changes to resolve problems.
by Jeffery J. McKenna Trust disputes can have different causes. A trustee may decide to pay himself a high fee, or may distribute trust property in a way that conflicts with the trust instructions. A beneficiary may want more money distributed, or may object that the trustee's investment strategy is too risky (or too conservative). Or a trustee may conceal information, so beneficiaries worry about possible mismanagement or theft. There are many problems that can arise from trust administration. Adult children are often concerned about the management of a "living trust" by a step-parent after a parent has died. The children are concerned, yet they are uncomfortable insisting that the stepparent provide information, especially if the step-parent is entitled to all income during his or her lifetime. The result may be resentment, alienation, and a loss of family harmony. Many problems can be avoided by making sure all family members understand their rights and receive adequate information about the trust's management. Ideally, information should be shared before either parent dies. If the beneficiaries are well-informed, they can more easily express any concerns about the trust's administration to the trustee, who can then act quickly to address those concerns properly without the need for lawsuits. There are ways to set up
NOW WITH A PANGUITCH OFFICE AT 46 NORTH MAIN STREET TO SERVE CLIENTS IN AND AROUND GARFIELD COUNTY. Jeffery J. McKenna is a local attorney serving clients in Utah, Nevada, and Arizona. He is a shareholder at the law firm of Barney McKenna and Olmstead. He is a founding member and former President of the Southern Utah Estate Planning Council. If you have questions regarding this article or if you have a topic you wish to have addressed in this column, you can call 435 6281711 or email jmckenna@ barney-mckenna.com. trusts and trustee provisions to minimize future problems and conflicts, and to prevent family disharmony. Much can be done to set up estate plans to ensure that trust assets will be managed wisely and fairly. An experienced estate planning attorney can suggest innovative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.
t H e Flight
I had an offer from a large company, and they offered to fly me out to the meeting on business class. During the return flight, we were given gourmet brownies and cookies. Not hungry, I decided to save them for later, so I placed them in an airsickness courtesy bag. After the plane landed, I got up to leave and a stewardess approached me. She asked, "Sir, would you like for me to dispose of that for you?" I said, "No thanks, I'm saving it for my kids."
Shower Thoughts
Page 5
l A u G h i N g pOiNt!! Exercise Portion
I'm so tired of exercising. I think five thousand sit-ups should be pretty much permanent. You should be at home, you're on your last and final jumping jack, and you get that phone call, "Congratulations! You have completed the exercise portion of your life. Welcome to the incessant eating section."
PUNishment
He couldn't decide whether to accept a job in mattress sales so he decided to sleep on it.
Today's Thought
If it's true that misery loves company, how come we don't enjoy getting caught in a traffic jam?
sudoku To Play: Complete the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9
People are so amazed by the fact that every snowflake is different, but nobody cares that every potato is unique.
Vacation
A young couple went on vacation in Colorado. They flew to Denver and rented a car to sight see. One of the sights was a bridge that was more than 1,000 feet above the river. Walking out onto the bridge, they noticed it swaying in the wind. "I don't think I want to drive the car across this bridge," one said to the other. "What are you worried about?" the second replied. "It's a rental."
This week's answers on page 9
THEME: SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. *Starr of Super Bowl I and MVP 5. Epsom or Évian-les-Bains 8. Mexican money 12. Gulf V.I.P. 13. Biblical pronoun 14. Competitive musher, e.g. 15. Saintly glow 16. From the sky and often damaging 17. Early anesthetic 18. *Halftime show performer 20. Photo editing option 21. T. S., poet 22. Chi forerunner 23. *Team with most consecutive Super Bowl appearances 25. Swindles 29. Even, to a poet 30. Slanting characters 33. Cough syrup balsam 34. Travels by air 36. "What's up ____?", asked by Bugs Bunny 37. Southeast Asia org. 38. German currency 39. Wb, pl. 41. 9 to 5, e.g. 42. Substitute, two words 44. Express a thought 46. Hitherto 47. Winter "fever"? 49. Brown on "Doctor Who" 51. *He has most Super Bowl appearances as a coach 55. Plural of #38 Across 56. Norse deity 57. Joie de vivre 58. *3-time Super Bowl champ, Russ ____ 59. Pasturelands 60. Ready for picking 61. Black and white treat 62. *Another form of
Super Bowl entertainment 63. Command, with "at" DOWN 1. Thai currency 2. Wet nurse 3. Rub the wrong way 4. Gardener's little helper 5. British soldier's parade hat 6. *P in PAT 7. "____ Lang Syne" 8. *Team with most Super Bowl appearances 9. Reverberating sound 10. Slowly leak 11. NHL great 13. Opposite of atheist 14. Short version 19. ____ Island off Manhattan 22. Nervous twitch 23. Knockout 24. Below, prefix 25. *Player with most Super Bowl points scored 26. Warm down-slope
wind 27. Distress signal 28. Phoenix team 29. Flock members 31. Port of Yemen 32. Tennis shot 35. *Jim Nantz's partner 37. Savory jelly 39. A must for a comedian 40. Williams and Wright 43. Natural theology 45. Answer to "Where are you?", two words 47. Surrendered land 48. Spy's other name 49. Feline vibration 50. Albany-Buffalo canal 51. Cowboy's necktie 52. Pelvic parts 53. Big letters 54. Proposal joint 55. "I" mania
Solution on page 9
Page 6
O bituaries
Sherrill Torgerson 1948 - 2021
LYMAN - Sherrill Torgerson died peacefully at his home in Lyman, Monday morning, January 11, 2021 after a hardfought fight with Parkinson's disease. He was born May 2, 1948 in Richfield, Utah, the fifth of six children born to Robert LaVerl and Theda Janice Oldroyd Torgerson of Lyman. He grew in Lyman and graduated from Wayne High School, Class of 1966. Sherrill served an LDS mission for two years in British Columbia and Alaska. He married Sheila Brian for time and all eternity on March 23, 1973 in the Manti LDS Temple. Together, they raised four boys Wyatt, Eric, Kyle, and Drew. Sherrill was a very hard worker. In his early career, he worked with the forest service, logged timber, was a mechanic, worked construction, and became well known in the county as a "Jack of all trades." He finished his career doing facilities maintenance for the LDS church, where he retired after 23 years of service. Sherrill enjoyed welding, fabricating, and creating things out of nothing or "good junk" as he'd call it. Although Sherrill always worked a full time job, his true passion was farming. Sherrill was a very patient and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He instilled a very strong work ethic into his boys which lives on. Sheila was his one and only true love. They were married 47 years, and he enjoyed seeing the world with her. Together they traveled to a lot of neat places and were able to visit every state in the United States, and four Canadian Provinces. He always cherished the time he spent with his kids and grandkids. Sherrill will be missed and will always be a hero to many and never forgotten. Sherrill is survived by his wife Sheila, his children Wyatt (Liz) of Lyman, Eric (Trudy) of Richfield, Kyle (Heather) of Loa, and Drew (Courtney) of Cedar City, 11 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter; siblings: Janita (Darvil, deceased) Black of Rexburg, Idaho; Robert (Faye) Torgerson of Price, Utah; Jerry (Theresa) Torgerson of Lyman, Utah; Rand (Judy) Torgerson of St. George, Utah; Burke (Barbara) Torgerson of Lyman, Utah. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Teri Leavitt and Connie Durfey with Gunnison Home Health and Hospice for all their help during Sherrill's last days. Funeral services were held on Monday, January 18, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. in the Lyman LDS Ward Chapel, where friends could call for viewing Sunday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Monday morning from 11:00 to 12:30 prior to the services. Because of COVID-19 mandate, all attendees were required to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Burial was in the Lyman Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah. On line guest book at: www.springerturner.com
The Insider
January 21, 2021
FYI PanguItch
by Mack Oetting ~ mackoetting @gmail.com Things are going from bad to worse this last couple of weeks. The bad news is that we are entering our 21st year of drought. According to those that check these things by counting the rings on the trees, this is as bad or worse than any drought period in the past 1,200 years. Drought is indicated by smaller rings on the trees. Last year, Nevada and Utah had the least amount of moisture ever recorded in their state. This year so far, we have had even less moisture than last year, with less than an inch. Hopefully, the weather people are right. They say that the high ridge that has been hanging over the western states will be gone, and a low ridge will come in on Friday and Saturday, supposedly bringing in some snow. Keep your fingers crossed. Pat and I took a run up to the lake, which is frozen solid, but the only snow up there was on the north side of the hills. It got worse last week, with many events being linked to the riot at the Capitol building. Those that did much of the damage are being identified, 250 so far, and 100 have been arrested. These aren’t the brightest folks, with many posing for pictures. One that was arrested claimed that he didn’t mind, saying that MLK Jesus were arrested for sticking up for what they thought was right. One woman from Florida said that the president should pardon her because she was doing just what he wanted. We had one guy from Utah that has been arrested also, claiming that he was not a member of the proud boys or Qanon. He said that he was just recording the events. The problem is that he is not a reporter, and he was trespassing in the building. These terror-
ists missed VP Mike Pence by one minute, and they intended to hang him for being a traitor. Many had zip ties to take prisoners and execute them. Sixteen police officers were injured and fifteen are in the hospital. They were beaten, hit with objects, and several were threatened with guns and threats of violence by the mob. Five people died in this riot, including a police officer who was hit with a fire extinguisher. So much for being the law and order party. The government, this time, is taking all of this terrorist talk seriously, and now, there are 20,000 National Guard troops in the Capitol and fencing has been put up around the buildings. We look like a third world country, with soldiers with guns on every corner. There are threats at every state capital in the country, and each state is taking it seriously and using everyone within their jurisdiction. How much money is this costing the country because of these terrorists? It all started because the whole world heard the president and his lawyer tell his mob that this was going to be a combat and a fight to the end and urged the rioters to head to the Capitol building and convince some of those in Congress to change their state's vote. The rioters were told by the president that he would be with them, but that didn’t happen either. So with evidence that everyone with a TV had seen, the House of Representatives impeached the president a second time. Ten republicans voted with the majority and four didn't vote. The count was 232 to 197 to convict. Mitch McConnell, the head of the U.S. Senate, refused to bring back the senators for a vote.
So, the trial in the U.S. Senate will be held after the president is out of office. If convicted, he will lose all benefits, including security service. The latest polls have the president's favorability down to 28%. His loss in favorability has come about since the election and how he handled the defeat. The impeachment makes him the only president to be impeached twice. He will be the 5th president to leave his term with an unaffordability rating. Yesterday on the 20th, Joe Biden became the 45th President of the United States. Already, he is off to a running start with his coronavirus vaccine plan. It involves vaccinating 1 million people per day for his first 100 days in office. For once, we have a leader that has a plan. He is going to use the National Guard, drug stores, and many others to give the shots. More good news on the vaccine is that Johnson and Johnson has a one shot vaccine that has been tested. The virus in Garfield County is still around. The two weeks from 1-3 to 1-16, we had 64 new cases, bringing the total to three hundred and eighty-two and eight deaths. If you would like to get on the list for the vaccine, give the health department a call at (676-8800) and ask to be put on the call list. President Biden has another stimulus bill before Congress, that will include a stimulus payment increase from $600 dollars to an additional $1,400. Also, it will include money to bail out many of the states and cities that were impacted by COVID-19. It will also increase money for the testing and the creation and
distribution of the vaccines. Biden also plans to rejoin the Paris Accord on global warming. The good news on the stimulus money that you got last year is that it isn’t taxable. But, I think that you do need to declare it. Our great nation has been having elections for 240 years. I just can’t comprehend why anyone would think this election was rigged all of a sudden. The GOP congressmen from Pennsylvania got up one after another and said that their U.S. Constitution read that only voting could be done by ballot vote. Also, one congressman—that was a Republican—got up and called them all liars and said that they all voted for a person, and that this year, because of the COVID-19 virus, they would allow mail-in votes. When is lying okay for the party of Lincoln? The NFL season is coming to an end, with two more games next week and the Super Bowl two weeks later. The Green Bay Packers will be playing the Buccaneers in one game, and the Buffalo Bills will be playing the Kansas City Chiefs in the other. I like Green Bay for the way they handled the LA Rams defense. Last Monday was Martin Luther King Day and a school holiday. How times have changed. When we first moved here, a school board member told me that as long as he was on the board, they would never honor Martin Luther King Day. Anyway, there were four NBA games on TV (my favorite sport). Mack O.
January 21, 2021
LegaL Notices NOTICE TO WATER USERS The applications below were filed with the Division of Water Rights in Wayne County. These are informal proceedings per Rule 655-6-2. Protests concerning an application must be legibly written or typed, contain the name and mailing address of the protesting party, STATE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PROTESTED, CITE REASONS FOR THE PROTEST, and REQUEST A HEARING, if desired. Also, A $15 FEE MUST BE INCLUDED FOR EACH APPLICATION PROTESTED. Protests must be filed with the Division of Water Rights on or before Feb. 17, 2021 either electronically using the Division`s on-line Protest of Application form, by hand delivery to a Division office, or by mail at PO Box 146300, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6300. Please visit waterrights.utah.gov or call (801)538-7240 for additional information. NEW APPLICATION(S) 95-5436 (T82354): NAH Utah LLC propose(s) using 1.6 ac-ft. from the Freemont River (1.65 miles NE of Hanksville) for OTHER: Helium exploration. 95-5437 (A82367): Vance or Kathy Warner propose(s) using 0.015 cfs OR 1.48 ac-ft. from groundwater (Fremont) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. EXTENSION(S) 61-2713 (a31936): Lynda L. Marcks, State of Utah Board of Water Resources, West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company is/are filing an extension for 1.6 ac-ft. from groundwater (1/2 mile south of Panguitch) for DOMESTIC; IRRIGATION; STOCKWATERING. Teresa Wilhelmsen, P.E. State Engineer Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 21 & 28, 2021 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT AND/OR INCREASE FEES AND CONSIDER THE 2021 BUDGET BRISTLECONE WATER IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT The Bristlecone Water Improvement District Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Monday, January 25, 2021, to consider the adoption of the proposed 2021 budget for the District, and to consider adopting and/or increasing fees to customers of the District. The public hearing is for the purpose of receiving comments from the public and providing explanation of the reasons the District is imposing and/or increasing fees and other issues related to the proposed 2021 budget. The hearing will be held at the Garfield County Courthouse, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch, Utah 84759, scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM or as soon thereafter as possible. All interested persons in attendance will have an opportunity to provide comments on the proposed 2021 budget and the proposed fees. The proposed 2021 budget is available for public review by request to the District Clerk, Amy Dodds, at 435-676-3630. Published in the Wayne & Garfield County Insider on JANUARY 21, 2021
The Insider
Page 7
Wildfire Smoke Changes Dramatically as it Ages, and That Matters for Downwind Air Quality— Here’s What We Learned Flying Through Smoke Plumes by Brett B. Palm Postdoctoral Researcher in Atmospheric Chemistry, University of Washington, The Conversation
Brett Palm/University of Washington, CC BY-ND
Sampling wildfire smoke sometimes means sticking a tube out the window of an airplane. WESTERN U.S. - The year 2020 will be remembered for many reasons, including its record-breaking wildfires that turned San Francisco’s skies an apocalyptic shade of red and blanketed large parts of the West in smoke for weeks on end. California experienced five of its six largest fires on record in 2020, including the first modern “gigafire,” a wildfire that burned over 1 million acres. Colorado saw its three largest fires on record. While the smoke can make for beautiful sunsets, it can also have dire consequences for human health. I am an atmospheric chemist, and the atmosphere is my laboratory. When I look
sons worsen, we have to understand which chemicals are being emitted and how smoke changes with time. To figure that out, my colleagues and I flew airplanes into the smoke plumes of some of the West’s large wildfires. How we study wildfires Large wildfires and the way wind carries their smoke cannot be easily replicated in a laboratory. This makes them difficult to study. One of the best ways to learn about real wildfire smoke chemistry is to sample it directly in the atmosphere. In 2018 and 2019, my colleagues and I crisscrossed the sky over active wildfires in specialized airplanes loaded with scientific instruments.
measure all of these molecules at once. In fact, some specific compounds are a challenge to measure at all. Many scientists, including myself, dedicate their careers to designing and building new instruments to improve our measurements and continue to advance our understanding of the atmosphere and how it affects us. In newly published research from the 2018 wildfires, my colleagues and I showed how the smoke particles changed rapidly as they were carried downwind. Some of the particles were evaporating into gases, similar to a rain puddle evaporating into water vapor when the Sun comes out. At the same time, some of the gases in smoke
Brett Palm/University of Washington, CC BY-ND
To sample smoke as it moves downwind, scientists flew back and forth across smoke plumes. The gray lines are the flights from 2018. They turn red where the path crossed a smoke plume. at the sky, I see a mixture of many thousands of different chemical compounds interacting with each other and with sunlight. The reactions and transformations in the atmosphere cause wildfire smoke to change dramatically as it travels downwind, and studies have shown that it can grow more toxic as it ages. In order to accurately forecast the effects of wildfire emissions on downwind populations and issue more-targeted air quality warnings as wildfire sea-
Each instrument is designed to sample a different part of the smoke, often by literally sticking a tube out the window. Wildfire smoke is far more complex and dynamic than meets the eye. It contains thousands of different compounds, most of which are molecules containing various amounts of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen atoms. There are gases (individual molecules), as well as particles (millions of molecules coagulated together). No single instrument can
were going through reactions to form new particles, similar to water vapor condensing to form a cloud or dew droplets. Meanwhile, chemical reactions were occurring, changing the molecules themselves. As these molecules reacted with sunlight and other gases in the atmosphere, the smoke was fundamentally transformed. This is what we mean when scientists talk about smoke “aging” or getting “stale” over time. Other recent research has started to show how wildfire smoke can become more toxic as it ages. What do all these changes mean for health? The health damage from smoke is largely a result of how much PM2.5 it contains. These are tiny particles, a fraction of the width of a human hair, that can be breathed deep into the lungs, where they can irritate the respiratory tract.
Even short-term exposure can aggravate heart and lung problems. Chemical reactions control how much PM2.5 is in wildfire smoke as it is transported away from the fires and into population centers. Using our aircraft measurements to understand these processes, we chemists can better predict how much PM2.5 will be present in aged smoke. Combined with meteorology forecasting that predicts where the smoke will go, this could lead to improved air quality models that can tell people downwind whether they will be exposed to unhealthy air. Better air quality forecasting With wildfires increasingly in the news, more people have become aware of their own air quality. Resources such as AirNow from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provide current and forecasted air quality data, along with explanations of the health hazards. Local information is often available from state or regional agencies as well. Air quality measurements and forecasts can help people avoid unhealthy situations, especially sensitive groups such as people with asthma. During predicted periods of unhealthy air quality, local or state governments can use forecasts to reduce other pollution sources, such as discouraging residential wood burning or high-emitting industrial activities. Looking to the future, wildfire smoke is likely to be widespread across the West each year for several reasons. Rising temperatures are leaving the landscape drier and more flammable. At the same time, more people are building homes in the wildland-urban interface, creating more opportunities for fires to start. A large community of scientists, including me, are working to better understand wildfire emissions and how they change as they blow into downwind communities. That knowledge will improve forecasts for air quality and health impacts of wildfire smoke, so people can learn to adapt and avoid the worst health consequences. This article was originally published in The Conversation on December 17, 2020.
The Insider
Page 8
Callie Ward, Utah State University Extension Assistant Professor, Garfield County
How to Make a Food Budget
If you are new to budgeting, it can be difficult to figure out how much to plan on spending on food. Unlike other items in our budget, the grocery budget can fluctuate greatly from month to month. It is easy to over spend the budget in one shopping trip. Budgeting for food, both at the grocery store and eating out, takes careful planning, but it can be done. A general rule of thumb is: $75-100 monthly per person starting at $300. So a couple would spend $300 (not $200) per month. A family of six would spend $700 per month. This can be adjusted according to where you live and income level. There are many tips for saving money at the grocery store, but the most important tip is to take some time to do some careful planning before that trip to the grocery store. Plan a menu for the week: Planning is key to making a food budget work. Not only does this help with knowing what to purchase once you are at the grocery store, but it is a great daily time saver, because you are never wondering what you are going to have for dinner. The plan has been made and the ingredients are ready to go. When planning a menu for the week, look at your
schedule. Plan easy meals for busy nights and then you will be less likely to go out to eat or get take out. Plan healthy balanced meals. Look at local grocery store weekly ads: While menu planning, take a look at the weekly ads from the local grocery stores. This will help in planning the menu. It is more cost effective to cook items that are on sale that week, rather than randomly choosing menu items that are more expensive. Stock up on sale items that you use often and can have on hand. Freeze meat when it goes on sale and use it later. Make a grocery list: Know exactly what you need for your weekly menu. Check your pantry and refrigerator for items that you already have on hand. Don’t over buy on perishable items: Buy what you will reasonably use, even if it is on sale. Don’t buy in bulk if you cannot use it before the expiration date. Preserve and store food correctly: Put things in the refrigerator or freezer and plan to use leftover ingredients in another meal. Plan for left overs: Many times it is just as easy to make more of a meal to use later (in a day or two) or freeze for a later date. Especially if some of the ingredients may go to waste if not all of it is being used for the dish. Leftovers are great for lunch as well. Make from scratch as
often as possible: Avoid convenience and processed foods. Stick to the perimeter of the store. Buy generic instead of name brands: Most generic brands are of similar quality to that of name brands, but can cost 20-25% less. Look at cost per ounce: Do not assume that the bigger package is always less expensive. Most grocery stores have a cost per ounce on their price label. Comparing brands and package sizes will help you make the best decision. Shop in season: This is especially true for produce. Produce generally costs less and tastes better when it is bought during its growing season. Plan your meals around in-season produce. Lastly, plan for the expense of eating out as part of your monthly food budget: Eating out is more expensive than eating at home. If you are spending too much of your grocery budget by eating out, then try reducing the times per week that you eat out. Follow the tips about planning meals. Save money eating out by going out for lunch instead of dinner: Many restaurants have a lunch menu that is less expensive than the dinner menu. Many restaurants have promotional offers. Join their mailing list or download their app. Instead of leaving leftover food at the restaurant, take them home and eat them for a meal the next day. Save eating out for special occasions. Lastly, go online and look over the restaurant menu before you go, so you are not surprised by the cost. Again, take time to make a weekly meal plan. It will save you money on your monthly food budget. Writer - Tricia Mathis, Extension Educator Adapted for Article - Callie Ward, Extension Assistant Professor, Garfield County
Escalante Prevention Coalition has the opportunity to provide Suicide Prevention Training classes to the Escalante/Boulder Communities. We are encouraging all Businesses, religious groups, families etc, to sign up and take advantage of a useful skill we all can use, especially in the difficult times we are facing in 2020.
January 21, 2021
January 25 - January 31 by John Mosley The Sky Report is presented as a public service by the Stellar Vista Observatory, a nonprofit organization based in Kanab, Utah, which provides opportunities for people to observe, appreciate, and comprehend our starry night sky. Additional information is at www.stellarvistaobservatory.org. Send questions and comments to John@StargazingAdventures.org. Beginning with planets, two are out this evening— Mars and Mercury. Mercury is hard to see and getting harder by the day. Being on an orbit that is inside ours, it never strays far from the sun, so it’s always near the horizon in twilight. It was at its greatest angular separation from the sun, only 19°, on the 24th, and then, it set 90 minutes after the sun. It’s moving between the earth and sun, and it sets earlier each night and becomes progressively harder to see. It’s also becoming fainter as its phase grows from full to crescent. To see it, find a place with a very low western horizon and look a half-hour after sunset for a tiny planet that looks like a star. It sets where the sun sets, so look there. And use binoculars— they are a must and every astronomer needs a pair. It’s too nearly in line with the sun to
see it by the end of the month. Far easier to see is Mars, which rides high in the south at sunset, and then, moves westward as the sky rotates until it sets around 1 a.m. Mars is as bright as a bright star, but it’s in a part of the sky—Aries—that has no stars that are brighter, so Mars stands out. It’s getting harder to notice its orange color, which was clear only a few months ago, as Mars moves farther away and becomes fainter. The moon is full on Thursday the 28th. For how long is the moon full? For practical purposes, the moon is full all night, but for calculation purposes, the moon is full for only an instant, and that instant is 12:17:33 p.m. MST on the 28th. At 12:17, the moon is not yet full, and at 12:18, it’s past full. But, we think of the moon as being full all night. Which
night? If the moon is full at midnight, it’s clear which night, but if the moon is full at noon, do we count it as full the night before or the night after? For casual purposes, it doesn’t much matter. But, do look at it, and use those same binoculars you used to spot Mercury. I recommend 7x50 binoculars for stargazing, and you can find an adequate pair for under $50—and they last forever. John Mosley was Program Supervisor of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles for 27 years and is the author of “Stargazing for Beginners” and “Stargazing with Binoculars and Telescopes.” He and his wife live in St. George, where he continues to stargaze from his retirement home while serving on the advisory committee for Stellar Vista Observatory.
The Insider
January 21, 2021
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Classified ads start at just $7.50 per week for 25 words or less.
HELP WANTED
GENERAL DENTIST WANTED BICKNELL, WAYNE COUNTY General Dentist (Full Time) position available in Bicknell, UT. (Wayne County) General responsibilities: • Must have or attain a Utah unrestricted License to practice Dentistry. • All aspects of General Dentistry including Exodontia, Root canals, Crown and Bridge, etc… • Some reimbursed travel will be expected weekly to commute between offices (Panguitch and Escalante). • New graduates may apply. • To start as soon as possible Benefits • Vacation hours. • 401K Match up to 5%. • Sick hours. • Holiday pay. • Continuing education days offered (5 Days leave and $2000/Year.) • Health/Dental Insurance (1/2 covered for family.) • Malpractice insurance covered. • Licensure and credentialing is covered. • Disability insurance (1/2 covered.) • Salary is negotiable and Contingent on experience. Pay Range: $115,000 - $130,000 /year WCHC is an approved nonprofit organization that allows one to apply for the PSLF program (loan forgiveness). Although, it is up to you to apply for these programs on your own and it is not guarantee you will be awarded. We are happy to offer advice during this process.
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENTS POSITIONS AVAILABLE: Garfield County School District is hiring the following positions. For a description of each, please see the district website www.garfk12.org Boys Head Track Coach at Bryce Valley High School Part-Time Sanitization Custodian at Panguitch Middle/High School Para Professional at Garfield County Jail Bus Route Driver in Boulder Para-Professionals at All Schools Substitutes for Custodians, Food Service, and Teachers Food Service Worker at Boulder Elementary School SALARY: Please see 2020-2021 Garfield County School Districts Classified Salary Schedule and Certified Salary Schedule. QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be fingerprinted and satisfactorily pass an employment background check. Applicant must work well with children. See the job description for additional requirements. APPLICATION: Interested individuals should submit a Garfield County School District classified or certified application. Please direct questions to: AES Head Teacher Robin Gibbs (435-624-3221) BES Head Teacher Elizabeth Julian (435-335-7322) BVES Principal Pete Peterson (435-679-8619) BVHS Principal Jeff Brinkerhoff (435-679-8835) EES/EHS Principal Peter Baksis (435-826-4205) PES Principal Robert Prince (435-676-8847) PMS/PHS Principal Russ Torgersen (435-676-8805) Superintendent John Dodds (435-676-8821) Online application available: www.garfk12.org Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be granted interviews. DEADLINE: See the district website for closing date of each position. Garfield County School District is an equal opportunity employer. Garfield County School District reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications.
CAPITOL REEF CIDER WORKS BICKNELL Capitol Reef Cider Works of Bicknell, Utah is looking for intelligent dedicated employees to advance our apple orchard and cider operation. Reliability and good physical fitness are required. Fulltime and part-time positions available. Preferred Skills: Construction, Welding, Automotive Mechanics, Biology, Horticulture. Email resumes and questions to: capitolreefciderworks@gmail.com
SERVICES We are looking for friendly, hardworking professionals who enjoy the hospitality industry and interaction with guests. P O S I T I O N S AVA I L A B L E: Front Desk Agents Laundry Services Housekeepers Maintenance Bellmen Positions to start April 1st through October 31st At Capitol Reef Resort we promote from within. Please stop by in person to complete an application. We are located at 2600 E SR 24, Torrey, UT 84775 435-425-3761
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
WAYNE COUNTY FOOD BANK IS OPEN3RD WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 1-3PM COMMUNITY CENTER IN BICKNELL PRE-MADE BOXES, READY FOR PICK-UP. REGULAR AND SENIOR PROGRAMS. EASY APPLICATION!QUESTIONS? CALL 435-691-3923
MEETINGS Tropic AA Meeting Wednesday at 6 PM. Tropic Heritage Center. All meetings are closed discussion. rtn Escalante AA Meeting Call for times and locations. 435-676-3653 Survivors of Suicide Loss Support Group 4th Thursday of each month 5:30-7:30pm Southwest Behavioral Health Center 601 E. Center St. Panguitch ADULTS ONLY Questions? Call Melissa Veater 435-690-0911
Classifieds start at $7.50 for 25 words or less. snapshot@live.com
SERVICES
PARAPROFESSIONAL POSITION OPEN Wayne School District is accepting applications for a paraprofessional. Applicants will be required to work closely under teacher supervision with individual students or small groups of students and provide assistance to teachers in various capacities as assigned. This position is for 27 hours a week with no benefits. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Please send applications to Wayne School District, PO Box 127, Bicknell, UT 84715. Wayne School District is an equal opportunity employer and provider and reserves the right to accept or reject any or all application.
WAYNE COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR (VC) The Wayne County Fire District seeks a dynamic, selfdriven and dedicated individual for a position that offers unique professional challenges and opportunity for professional advancement. The Wayne County Fire District Volunteer Coordinator (VC) will function under the supervision of the WCFD Chief and the WCFD Board of trustees. This position is funded by a FEMA grant and is authorized for 4 years by that funding source. No assurance is given beyond that period and is dependent on continued funding. The rank of the successful candidate for this position will be determined by qualifications set by the Chief and the Board. The person selected will be required to reside in Wayne County to serve in the position. The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for the following: • Act as training and recruitment officer. • Develop and coordinate a recruitment and retention program. • Establish and maintain records systems to track training and certification of Firefighters. • Assess needs for Personal Protective Equipment and other fire equipment. • Establish regular monthly training programs for each station and assist Battalion Chiefs in providing that training. • Coordinate District wide training programs using UFRA, FFSL, USFM, local and other training providers. • Ensure that as part of station training activities that all equipment is inspected, tested and used regularly to provide proper operations under all conditions. • Tracking the time spent by each FF participating in any department program, based on data received from BCs • In cooperation with the Treasurer and the Chief, provide data and reports required by FEMA for the SAFER grant funds. • Establish professional development plans for personnel and facilitate enrollment in classes and completion of task books, certification records etc. • Submit documentation for the award of training and response stipends. • Act as liaison with the Utah FF Certification Office. • Respond to fires, other emergencies, and requests for service. • Assist the Chief with departmental planning, operations, recordkeeping, public education, grant writing and administration and other official duties. Preferred initial qualifications include: Structural Firefighter I & II; Wildland FF I & II; Haz Mat awareness & Operations; Fire Instructor I. If the candidate does not currently possess those, they are required within 1 year of hire. A salary and benefit package of up to $68,000 is available based on individual needs, qualifications and skills at the discretion of the Fire District Board. Applications are available at the Wayne County Clerk’s office, 18 South Main, Loa, or you can call the Clerk’s office at 435-836-1300 and request one to be emailed to you. Submit application, Resume and Cover Letter to the Wayne County Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2021. If you have any questions, please call 435-836-1300. Ryan Torgerson Wayne County Clerk/Auditor
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE BUILDING INSPECTOR Garfield County is accepting applications for the position of Administrative Assistant to the Building Inspector. The position is full time. Applications are available at the Garfield County Clerk’s Office, 55 South Main Street, Panguitch or at www. garfield.utah.gov. Applications will be accepted at the Clerk’s Office until 5:00 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2021. Garfield County reserves the right to accept or reject any or all applications. Garfield County is an equal opportunity employer.
SENIOR CENTER MENUS
sudoku Answers for this week
BRYCE VALLEY AREA Senior Lunches at the HENRIEVILLE Senior Center TUES Jan 26th
Country Fried Steak, Potatoes & Gravy, Green Beans, Salad Bar, Mandarin Oranges, Raisin Cookie
WED Jan 27th THURS Jan 28th
Shepherd's Pie / Corn Bread, Salad Bar, Tropical Fruit, Peanut Butter Cookie Hot Pork Sandwich, Potatoes & Gravy, Veggies, Applesauce / Salad Bar, Banana Pudding
Call by 10:00 A.M. if you want a lunch or need a ride. 679-8666 All meals are served with milk & bread Suggested donation is $3 for seniors and $7 for those under 60 years of age.
The Insider
Page 10
New Nurse / Vaccine: Wayne County welcomes
new nurse McKenzie Ellett just as the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out begins. Heathcare workers, emergency medical service technicians, search and rescue workers and law enforcement personnel have already begun receiving their first doses, with school teachers and staff and residents aged over 70 being next in line. Follow CUPHD to stay up-to-date on when your group will be eligible to register for the vaccine.
New Nurse / Vaccine Cont'd from page 1
10th, and residents ages 70 and up will be eligible to receive the vaccine the week of January 18th. “We want to get everyone as quickly as we can,” said CUPHD spokesperson Angie Knaphus, “but we have to adhere to the state’s prioritization schedule.” The county has to follow the state distribution timeline even if that means sitting on unused doses while awaiting approval to begin vaccinating the next priority group. Governor Cox recently ordered that the vaccine timeline be sped up, which has the potential to get the general public vaccinated sooner. CUPHD receives weekly vaccine shipments, which will be used to begin vac-
cinating the 70 plus population. “These allocations are still small, and we anticipate it will require several shipments to receive enough doses to vaccinate all individuals who want the vaccine,” said Knaphus. At this time, interested individuals should contact their local CUPHD office to be notified when doses are available. Once doses are available, interested individuals will be contacted and informed about how they can make an appointment. When larger vaccine allocations arrive, CUPHD will be holding large drive-thru vaccine clinics. This will help prevent large congregations of people especially when the vaccine becomes readily available to the general population. “We’re getting pretty efficient, said Knaphus, “as a smaller community, it makes us better
equipped to deal with this.” Knaphus mentioned that several residents are reaching out to the health department wondering how they will know when it’s their turn. “We’re going to keep updating social media—so no one will miss out,” she said. You can also monitor the Central Utah Health Department website and local news outlets for the most up to date information. As for Nurse Ellett’s experience with getting the vaccine, “It was really good,” she says. “I trusted science. It is what my whole education is about, and I have full faith in the vaccine.” She said her arm felt sore for a day or two and that the majority of people she’s talked to that have received the vaccine have had a similar experience.
January 21, 2021
USU Conducts Survey on COVID-19 and Women in the Workplace by Julene Reese, Utah State University Extension
Courtesy Utah State University Extension
Researchers from the Utah Women & Leadership Project, along with Utah State University Extension, are conducting an extensive study exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on women in the workplace. UTAH - National research derstand the impacts CO- Endowed Professor of Leadhas found that while women VID-19 has had on women ership in USU's Huntsman and men have both struggled in the workplace, research- School of Business. “Women to find and keep employment ers with the Utah Women & filed 58.4% of the unemployduring the COVID-19 pan- Leadership Project (UWLP), ment claims by the week that demic, women have been more negatively impacted than men. It has been especially difficult for women of color and those in jobs often held by women, including front-line positions, waitresses, hairdressers, cosmetologists, bartenders, retail, in conjunction with Utah State ended April 11, 2020, and sales and childcare workers. University Extension, are con- new research shows the U.S. Many such positions have ducting an extensive, in-depth economy lost 140,000 jobs in been scaled back or eliminated study. December alone, with all of due to the pandemic, the reAs part of the study, all them being held by women.” search shows. Utah women age 20 and older Madsen said researchers In an effort to better un- who are either currently em- hope to get well over 2,000 ployed or unemployed due to participants for the survey, the pandemic are invited to with the data collection and take a survey, which will take analysis phase through Janu20-30 minutes to complete. ary of 2021. Research briefs “In several states, most with recommendations will unemployment claims filed be released beginning in in the first few weeks of the April. pandemic were from women, The survey is available and Utah was not an excep- in both English and Spantion,” said Susan Madsen, ish. For further information primary researcher for the or questions, contact Madsen study, founding director of the at uwlp@usu.edu [USU IRB UWLP and Karen Huntsman 11671].